Stunt-loving Putin rides to bottom of Black Sea

Russian President Vladimir Putin, right, sits on board a bathyscaphe as it plunges into the Black sea along the coast of Sevastopol, Crimea, on Tuesday. (Source: AP photo)

President Vladimir Putin plunged into the Black Sea to see the wreckage of a sunk ancient merchant ship. (Source: AP photo)

The ancient merchant ship Byzantine was found in the end of May. (Source: AP photo)

Vladimir Putin descended 272 ft (83 m) in the Black Sea in a three-seat submersible. (Source: AP photo)

The remains are of a 9th or 10 century Byzantine trading ship. (Source: AP photo)

Putin told PM Dmitry Medvedev from the sea’s depths, “It’s great, there are lots of objects, amphorae scattered around.” (Source: AP photo)

Russian President Vladimir Putin steps ashore from a yacht in Sevastopol, Crimea, after plunging below the waves aboard a submersible craft. (Source: AP photo)

Russian President Vladimir Putin, right, walks with Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev after plunging aboard a submersible craft into the Black Sea. (Source: AP photo)

Russian President Vladimir Putin speaks to the media in Sevastopol, Crimea. (Source: AP photo)

Russian President Vladimir Putin speaks to local residents. (Source: AP photo)